Not sure about this list. I expect some of the great writers weren’t naturally talented and had to work twice as hard to make up for that. Some were so naturally talented that they didn’t really need to work very hard. Seriously doubt they were all hard drinkers. And quite a few only became great writers long after their deaths; in their lifetimes they met with little success but some of what they wrote was just barely successful enough to be kept around for a later generation to discover them and proclaim their greatness. Basically, their stuff became a cult classic of it’s day only to later be declared great literature.
Just saw a really good DVD called “The Man Who Invented Christmas”. It is the story of Charles Dickens and how he came to write the beloved tale “A Christmas Carol”. The story shows how the characters developed, through pressure to finish the commissioned work. I highly recommend! (It’s available in libraries).
Talent is actually a pretty common commodity, not just in writing but in any of the arts. But all the talent in the world won’t do it alone. Writing is a craft. Writers write; daily, sometimes for hours on end. Most of it turns out to be rubbish. In the same way, a carpenter works for years honing his techniques and skills. If there’s talent, maybe, just maybe, once in a great while, something wonderful is created. As to the hard drinking, I cannot say. But I’ll quietly suggest that it might be similar to any other occupation, avocation, or profession – that it’s probably not a good idea during working hours.
BE THIS GUY over 6 years ago
I’d be willing to work with Rat on strengthening one of those traits.
knight1192a over 6 years ago
Not sure about this list. I expect some of the great writers weren’t naturally talented and had to work twice as hard to make up for that. Some were so naturally talented that they didn’t really need to work very hard. Seriously doubt they were all hard drinkers. And quite a few only became great writers long after their deaths; in their lifetimes they met with little success but some of what they wrote was just barely successful enough to be kept around for a later generation to discover them and proclaim their greatness. Basically, their stuff became a cult classic of it’s day only to later be declared great literature.
Strawberry Hellcat: Gair I gall, ffon I’r anghall over 6 years ago
Hemingway is a difficult standard to live up to…or at least to stand upright and walk a straight line to.
ND Cool Z over 6 years ago
I’m the opposite of Rat; I would check #1 and #2.
alaskajohn1 over 6 years ago
I don’t believe Rat will reach the other two.
sirbadger over 6 years ago
Hard-Drinking. Are we talking about coffee or alcohol?
Liverlips McCracken Premium Member over 6 years ago
Rat is a third of the way there, and has been since we were introduced.
Bilan over 6 years ago
Numbers 1 and 2 can be replaced by a great PR agent.
Gent over 6 years ago
You’re a hard-drinking from the sewer vermin.
mjb515 over 6 years ago
Need to develop at least one more. Otherwise you are just another drunk.
chris_weaver over 6 years ago
Pulitzer Prize, here we(hic!) come!
dlkrueger33 over 6 years ago
Just saw a really good DVD called “The Man Who Invented Christmas”. It is the story of Charles Dickens and how he came to write the beloved tale “A Christmas Carol”. The story shows how the characters developed, through pressure to finish the commissioned work. I highly recommend! (It’s available in libraries).
jel354 over 6 years ago
Rat is naturally talented at hard drinking.
F-Flash over 6 years ago
Sometimes you have to rely on what you are really good at. Maybe he could write country and western songs. Pop a top again.
Willywise52 Premium Member over 6 years ago
Write what you know,it’s a start.
rshive over 6 years ago
At least it’s the good third, Rat.
Ermine Notyours over 6 years ago
Reminds me of the t-shirt I saw in junior high school: “I lift weights 12 ounces at a time,” and shows a man lifting a beer can.
the lost wizard over 6 years ago
Good for rat. Start at the bottom and work your way up.
billdaviswords over 6 years ago
I’m amazed that the ever-humble Rat didn’t also check #1.
ronmor1 over 6 years ago
https://youtu.be/N_wikdQ2Z0A
Lablubber over 6 years ago
It wush a dark and shtormy night…
Johnny on the Spot over 6 years ago
Way to go Rat. Look for the positives.
B UTTONS over 6 years ago
Rat flushed out another characteristic to the dysfunctional Congress. None are naturally talented. None are hard working. All ACE wining and dining.
Bookworm over 6 years ago
Talent is actually a pretty common commodity, not just in writing but in any of the arts. But all the talent in the world won’t do it alone. Writing is a craft. Writers write; daily, sometimes for hours on end. Most of it turns out to be rubbish. In the same way, a carpenter works for years honing his techniques and skills. If there’s talent, maybe, just maybe, once in a great while, something wonderful is created. As to the hard drinking, I cannot say. But I’ll quietly suggest that it might be similar to any other occupation, avocation, or profession – that it’s probably not a good idea during working hours.
gopher gofer over 6 years ago
⇧ @knight
it’s the bloody-minded who never seem to get the joke, wouldn’t you agree…?
Sisyphos over 6 years ago
Your first step is said to be the hardest, but in this case, I’m not so sure, Rat….
alantain about 1 year ago
There is but one common trait of all good writers. Correct spelling!